Thereafter the box side joined together, the challenge was over. The rest joint will come in…

THE TRAYSIn order to avoid monotony of color, MOLAVE (Philippine Hardwood with yellow finish) was choosen as the sides and black KAMAGONG was the bottom plate. Dovetail cutting was easy on Molave. Though it is hard, the saw cuts with slippery surface. The Molave contains its own oil. The hard part will be the gluing. I was so careful to smear the glue because it reacts to the oil of the Molave and discolor to bright yellow. The handle was fitted not directly to the side because Molave is hard to glue and it will need more surface to cling on. The NARRA handle was “blind cut dovetail” to the extended bracket in order to have the strength. It was so strong to have a dovetail joint on a 4 mm handle. Another challenge beaten.

The small and last trays was done on same manner but the bottom plate used was IPIL to add RED color on the box.

THE LID AND BOTTOM COVERSI forgot what wood I have for the cover …. It is red and strips grain pattern. The old frame looks to me it is cherry or probably hickory. The frames were from old picture and certificate frames that our office discarded due to broken glass. I picked it up on a file of “for dispossal bins”. At first, I was hesitant to use it however it makes good in Janna’s box. The hardest part was to make the miter cuts wherein two identical frames have to be made. It is easy if a frames does not connect to form a box. Presicion cuts should be done. Again a new challenge done. A little bit of error came up, it is good that my material has some excess.

You can see on the end of the assemble cover a slight error but still can be recovered and no redoing needed.

ASSEMBLYThis is my favorite part of woodworking. It is the most intricate part. Patience in gluing, clamping and handling to avoid mess are the most needed qualities of a good craftsman should have. A problem came up when I decided to make a groove in the frames (this is not on the original plan) so that it will have a good fit to the sides. The upper tray (smallest) obstructed and needs to be lowered around 4 mm. It took me around 15 minutes to get it right. THIS IS THE REASON WHY WE NEED TO HAVE A PLAN or at least WORK OUT AHEAD.

THE FINISHING I know this will be the longest time specially if you use oil and poly which takes overnight and days for curing. This will be easy because the wood used are not hard to finish.

HERE IS THE PRODUCT…

made to last with a following purpose:

For me… the purpose is to beat my challenges: FAST and WORK on THINNEST DOVETAILS.

For Rand….. (up to you rand) but on my opinion … this box will inspire him most. Rand was asking for a plan of this box. in the beginning … Now, he gets is the actual box that he could measure, take a good look and get a hand on it….

For MEGAN … she is the owner of the box as a GRADUATION GIFT from GIFTED LUMBERJOCKs who prays for your speedy recovery and endeavour.

Here are the tools that made it:

Starring are MY BABIES.. Who have eaten a lot (Kamagong, Narra, Ipil, others) and SPIT them out LOL..

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Others:

My favorite VISE…. There is a big advantage in using an elevated vise.. I can work on both side specially in chiselling dovetails without distroying the edges by tearing out. You can see a video on this in the first part of this series.

Maybe there will be a next part of the series,, when Megan and Rand gives the feedback when they both received it.

Thanks Mike,Actually your boxes is more outstanding than mine. I can use your techniques for my future use… I am interested in my next challenge. Metal to wood or Wood to metal for box making…. I had made one but only aluminum frame to hold the velvet, this is the Lourdes’ box in my project list… Cheers.

My dear friend Bert,When Megan was first diagnosed with hydrocephalus, we were told she might have one or two more replacements, depending on her rate of growth. The fact of the matter is she has had to endure several of these do the blockages, Low grade infections in the tubes and numerous other reasons.Two years ago, the tumor was the size of a grape. It is still benign, but is now the size of a golf ball. This is the surgery that has us stressed the most. It is compounded by the fact that her father and step-mother refuse to share medical information with her mother and us. Bitter divorces create some long lasting situations we just have to live with.With medical knowledge I have concerning this surgery, the thing that worries me the most is the chance for a post operative infection in the brain. I am confident of the technology used in this type surgery, but one microbe here can have devastating consequences. We have had this problem with both UCLA, where these surgeries began, and at UC Davis where she has been for the last series.I wish to thank everyone for their prayers for Megan, and your loving support for the family. Be assured I make sure all receive copies of this blog.Knowing that complete strangers, a few short days ago, care for Megan’s ordeal, has had a very profound effect on our family. This one of the examples of how the internet can draw people together to support each other in times of difficulty. Megan sends each of you her love and thanks you for sharing your strength with her at this time.And a very special THANK YOU to Bert and his family for this very special gift. I know she will cherish this box because of the love and workmanship you poured into this labor of love. And for the love connected to it from all over world from each and every one of our lumberjock family members.Our love to you, Megan, Maddie (Nana) and Rand

Rand,I am speechless of the situation that the world is small for us to be connected to help Megan and you of your ordeal. To become an instrument or a tool to give happy moments to somebody is the highest achievement anyone can consider and I am so glad I made it. Speaking of the box… the box is finally got its mirror like glow today after I apply the final poly coat. It will be on the way after totally dry… Stay on. God is always around to make miracles. I consider Joseph as the best woodworker we ever had in time of Jesus. Before him was Noah … and Whoever he is today and forever will always be with us!More prayers,